This is a disorder in which the layers of the retina split apart. The retina is the part of the eye that is stimulated by light and then sends a signal through the optic nerve to the brain. There are many neural layers to the retina and as people age the layers can split apart. This affects about 5% of the population, is usually harmless, and doesn’t affect vision since it typically occurs at the edge of the retina, an area that is not important in vision. Mine was found during a routine eye examination.

Retinoschisis is not the same as a retinal detachment. A retinal detachment involves all layers of the retina separating from the back of the eye and is often more visually threatening than retinoschisis.

I saw a retina specialist and he said there is nothing I need to do, but that I should avoid sports where like boxing or ones involving lots of “bouncing,” like motocross, to keep the split in my retina from extending into an area where it can affect vision. I asked him about windsurfing and he wasn’t too helpful. I did internet research and found nothing much. I looked up other “bouncing” sports like skiing, motocross, and mountain biking without success. A lot of the advice to avoid “contact sports” seems to relate more to congenital retinoschisis and not acquired retinoschisis. It seems to me that a congenital form would have different risks because the person was born with a retina that is weaker and prone to split.

So I’m wondering if any of you have any experience with this issue. I’m wondering if I need to change my style of windsurfing. I live on Maui and primarily sail waves and bump and jump. I have always enjoyed high jumps and also do forward loops. Do I need to stop the jumps? How about the loops?

Thanks Bard, for the distinction between the Gronk vs wimpy eye doc. I much prefer the alter ego. (I thought as an eye doc I could ws all the time, instead I just battle insurance companies, obamacare, and the new gen of employees..)

Anyhow, I'll pm this question but in a nutshell, RD/RT (detachments and tears of the retina) are usually well addressed by a skilled retina specialist with laser, cryo, or scleral buckles with a gas bubble, or a combination of the aforementioned. These essentially are a acute and urgent 'mechanical' retinal emergencies/urgencies.

Retinoschisis is an acquired X-linked hereditary dystrophy. Hence it is much less 'mechanical' in nature. Unfortunately, no definitive treatments. In this aspect, it saddens me, for anyone. But, FORTUNATELY, no restrictions to physical activities at all. If the patient were a boxer or soccer player with frequent head blows, I would defer the question to a retina specialist. But in all of my training and 17 years of practice, retinoschisis will essentially proceed in it's normal course, depending upon the individual...I will ask my fellow retina MD to confirm, but this is where I would stand right now, in the exam room, with 99.9% conviction...essentially more of a degenerative condition, not acute or traumatic. No treatments, but no restrictions to physical activities: so GO SHRED THE SHIT OUT OF EVERY SESSION YOU GET AND ENJOY IT.

Regards,
The Gronk

ps. I just found a retinal detachment on a young father of two: professional surfer, never had his eyes checked, got it from bouncing off the reef 10 YEARS AGO, asymptomatic. He was about to go blind. He went into the surgery room the next day. .. and he is still a proud, functional father of two beautiful children, running his own business, and his wife is happy. He came to the office b/c I told his wife to tell him to have his eyes checked..first exam ever. ...I guess that takes away all of my insurance/obamacare headaches.

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